Our body is home to trillions of cells known as microbiota or gut flora. With a combined weight of nearly four pounds, these organisms are a medley of fungi, bacteria, and viruses. In recent times, scientists across the globe have been discovering just why having balanced microbiota is so crucial.
What Is the Role of Human Microbiota?
Apart from playing a crucial role in the digestive processes, microbiota also helps to shape the function of the brain and general behavior. What’s more, scientists have now discovered that an imbalance in the gut flora can lead to a series of diseases.
Above all, this is why having balanced microbiota is so crucial:
- Digestion: If you have balanced microbiota, your digestive system can absorb the optimum amount of nutrients from your food and eliminate the waste. If your microbiota is out of sync, you may suffer from digestive disorders.
- Immune System: The human microbiota helps to create an immune system response. In other words, they “train” it, so that it can fight threats from infection.
- Mental and Emotional Wellbeing: Your digestion has a major bearing on your mental and emotional wellbeing. As a result, balanced microbiota doesn’t just keep the digestion running smoothly but also maintains a balance in mind and emotions.
- Prevention of Disease: Balanced microbiota also works toward fighting disease, especially in the digestive system. Out-of-sync microbiota can lead to irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and many others.
Final Thoughts
Now, you know why having balanced microbiota is so crucial for your overall health and wellbeing. Because of what some consider over-prescription of antibiotics, many people lack balanced microbiota. However, scientists all over the world are researching the multiple benefits of balanced microbiota in overall health maintenance.
A healthy diet and the use of prebiotics, as well as probiotics, is one way of promoting balanced microbiota.